Die press with traveling head



`lune 22, 1965 E, HAAs 3,190,166

DIE PRESS WITH TRAVELING HEAD Filed Sep'. 6, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet l l i Y ...U- f/ INVENTOR 254,? 445 BYWMM I June 22, 1965 E. HAAS 3,190,166

DIE PRESS WITH TRAVELING HEAD I Filed sept. e, 1962 5 sheets-sheet 2 June 22, 1965 E, HAAs 3,190,166

DIE PRESS WITH TRAVELING HEAD Filed Sepr..` 6, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIG. 6

26 INVENTOR.

BY QZZ,

United States Patent O This invention relates to die presses and more particularly to die presses having a traveling head.

It is common to cut shaped pieces out of sheet material such as fabric, leather or plastics by means of a clicker Vpress having a swinging head. Multiple plies are cut by Vmanually placing one or more steel rule dies on the material, following which the press platendescends to make the cut. The material is supported on a table having a suitable cutting block. When the material comes in wide sheets, a different form of press has been devised 4having upright rods carrying an elongated bridge at the top and an elongatedtable beneath the bridge. A traveling head is carried by and isrmovable along the bridge for travel over the table. The traveling head has a cylinder and piston for operating a platen therebeneath.

The primary object of the present invention is to generally improve die presses of the traveling head type. A more particular object is to improve such presses by eliminating the need for flexible hydraulic piping leading to the traveling head. A further object is to provide a sturdy rigid machine which also facilitates adjustment of the height of the table. Still another object is to improve and simplify theV electrical and hydraulic control elements of the press, for maximum convenience and speed in operating the same.

To accomplish the foregoing general objects and other more specific objects which will hereinafter appear, my invention resides in the traveling head press elements, and their relation one to another, as are hereinafter more particularly described in the following specification.- The specification is accompaniedV by drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a traveling head press embodying features of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary horizontal section taken approximately in the plane of the line 2 2 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 3 is a partially sectioned end elevation of the press;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary horizontal section taken approximately in the plane of the line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary vertical section showing the rack and pinion mechanism yfor causing travel of the head;

lFIG. 6 is a schematic ow diagram showing the hydraulic circuit of the press; and Y FIG. 7 is a wiring diagram showing the electrical circuit of the press.

Referring to the drawings, and more particularly to FIG. 1, the press comprises a sturdy frame having rigid upright ends 12 and 14 carrying an elongated bridge 16 at the top. There is an elongated table 18 between the ends 12 and 14. A traveling head, generally designated 20,`is carried by and is movable along the bridge 16 for travel over the table `18.

Referring now to FIG. 6, the traveling head includes a cylinder 22 and a piston 24 having a piston rod Z5 carrying a platen 26 therebeneath. The platen 26 is moved toward or away from a long cutting block (28 in '1E-IG. 1) carried by the table 1S. There is also a tank 30 for hydraulic fluid, and a'pressure pump 32 receivesV :tiuid from the tank 30 and is driven by an electric motor 34. The pump 32 preferably is submerged in the hydraulic uid, and the motor 34 preferably is disposed over the pump and tank. There is also a control valve 36 and pipes 38, 40, and 42 between the pump 32 and the cylinder 22. In accordance with the present improvement, the tank 30, the pump 32, the motor 34, the valve 36, and the pipingrare al1 mounted on and form a part of the traveling head and move therewith.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 5, there is a stationary gear rack 44 extending along the bridge. l A reversible hydraulic motor 46 is iixedly mounted on the head 20 and drives a pinion 48 meshing with the rack 44. A control valve 5t) (FIG. 6) and pipes 52, S4, 56 and 58 are connected between a submerged pumpti and the reversible hydraulic motor 46. As here illustrated, the valve Suis controlled by movement to one sideor the Vother of a handle `62, which handle preferably is selfelectric motor 34, the reversible hydraulic motor 46, the

valveStl and the piping are all mounted on and form a part of the traveling head and move therewith.

With this arrangement there is no need for the usual flexible'hydraulic piping between a stationary tankV and pump and the traveling head. vinstead the head is extended upward by means of supports 64 (FIGS. 1 and 3) located on both sides of the bridge 16,V the said supports carrying a movable hydraulic tank 39 and electric motor 34 with the submerged pumps operated thereby. With this arrangement the only flexible connection to the traveling head required is an electric supply wire. This is readily provided, and is not soon subject to mechanical fatigue and breakage as is the case with hollow flexible tubing subjected to high internal pressure.

It is frequently necessary to adjust the height of the table 1S. This depends on the height of the die, the vertical travel of the platen, the wear of the cutting block 28,and other such factors. A precise adjustment is important so that, on the one hand the die will cut all the way through the material, including the lowermost layer of material, and on the other hand will'not penetrate the block more than is needed to just cut through the lowermost layer of materiaL In accordance with a feature of the present invention,

there are four tie rods 70 (FIGS. 1, 3 and 4) depending from the bridge 16, these rods being held at their upper endsl by nuts 72. The lower ends of the rods pass through and carry'the ends of the table, and are threaded to receive internally threaded nuts which are beneath the table andWhich support the table against the cutting force. The nuts are turned by gears, and in fact constitute internally threaded gears, indicated at 74. There is additional gearing connecting the said internally threaded gears 74 forsimultaneous equal rotation when adjusting the height of the table. Y

More specifically, referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, a manually operable crank 76 at one end of the press turns a rod 7S which is carried by and extends lengthwise beneath the table 18. The shaft 78 has a gear 80 at each end inside the frame 0f the machine and meshing with gearing 82 and 84 leading to the internally threaded gears 70. The gearing is all carried by and moves up and down with the table. The frame end 14 (FIG. 3) is cut away at 79 to permit up and down movement of shaft 79. In the present case the gears 84 are Worm gears, but the table support system as a whole would anyway be irreversible because of the threaded tie rods 70, which are incapable of turning the'internally threaded gears 74. The gears 84, 74 therefore could be helical gears, this representing merely a change in pitch. Y Y

A feature of the present machine isthat the tie rods 70 igd" Patented June 22, 1,965V

Y are'free at their lower ends,

'areal-ee and actlsolely. as suspension members to resist the cutting force of the press.V They need not, as heretofore, constitutethe guide means. The

' rigidcast frame'ends 12 and 14 preferably have vertical guideways indicated at 86. Each guideway has two guide surfaces at rightangles. These `cooperate with the corthe -left'end of the press therod 108 moves the 'handle f ners of the table 18 to hold the table securely against latl eral movement. blocks of brass or other bearing metal. i struction the guide function for holding the table against The corners ofthe table have wearhorizontal movement is separated from the table height# is an inverted'channel. Referring to FG. 5', the sides 16 vot the'bridgeY are connected'by a bottom 92 having a raised middle web and support 94 for the gear'racl:v 44;

The lower end'of the hydraulic tank Sii isfreceived between the sides 16 of the bridgeand the tank is supported by upright supports 64 which arefoutsidethe bridgesides 16. The bridge includes'rails 96, and the traveling head The bridge V16 is channel-shaped in section, andthe brace 90 Y With this con- Y' Y V463 with his right hand.' This insures that'bothhands are 20 has wheels 98 which roll freely` on the rail 96, thus carrying the weight of the head as it travels along the bridge. However, there is an accurately machined hori-V f zontal face 16) forming a part ofthe head 20, and this slides accurately beneath; a mating horizontal face 102 at the bottom of the bridge. These surfaces arein supporting contact duringthe cutting stroke, that is, they take the reaction to the force of the hydraulic piston and cylinder. i Y n The tableV 18 is in the form of an inverted'channel, the hollow space within which receives the'shaft 78 and associated gearing `*shown in FIG. 4, that is, the channelof table 18 straddles the shaft and gearing which afford vertical adjustment of the table height. Y, The hydraulic circuit is shown in FIG. '6.1 A single pump 32 might be used to operate both the piston 24 and the travel motor 46, but it is here preferred to provide two pumps, a main high pressure pump 32 to operate the piston 24,` and an `auxiliary pump 66 to operate the travel motor 46.` This auxiliary pump also operates pilot mech# anism 37 for the four-,way'fvalve 36 controlling the piston 24. This valve has a Vself-centering spool. Y Y

` A Ilowerpressure is adequate for the travel motor 46, and for the pilot mechanism 37, than ris needed for the main ram. action vfor the platen 26. In the V.illustrated machine the pump 32 operates at 2000 pounds per'square inch pressure, and the pump tl'operates at 600 pounds per square inch pressure. This lower pressure uid is readily controlled by a four-way valve which is manually operable by means of the'handle 62.. The platen movement is controlled electrically by means of a trigger 63 on handle 62, and by means of upper and lower limit The, electric circuit controls solenoids for the,`

Yareeconnected to the .handle limit thetravel of the head 20. When the head reaches Vaway from its left position,V and the head stops. At the other end the rod 11@ strikes the end of the press and moves the handle 62 `away from its vright-hand position, and the head stops. 1 Y

`Between these extremes the head is readily moved back and forth by the operator whofmoves thehandle leftor right as desired; After placing one or` more: dieson the Y material and moving the .platen backY over `the dies, the.`

trigger63 Y(FIG53) is touched, and this causesgimmediate descent of; the platen `for the desired cutting'strke. Y

Once the trigger has. been pressed ythe platen goesthrough its full cycle, 4that is, it descendsto bottom poslt tion, and then rises to top '.position, and then 'stops,kre:

gardless of whether the trigger is held or released. y

In FIG. l attention is called tothe push button V11.2;`

This is a safety `button whichis connected inserieswith the trigger, and whichmust be'pressed by the operators left hand at the same time that he squeezes the trigger out ofthe press when the platen descends.

Y The buttons 114 and 116 are start and stop buttons' for the motor 3ft which drives the pumps.l The start button controls a conventional magnetic starting switch at the motor, which may 'be a three-phase motor; Only a single iiexible electric cable leading Yto the traveling headis needed, all switching being performed on-the traveling head. itself.Y The hydraulic'piping may be and preferably is .rigid piping instead ofiiexible tubing, there being no Yrelative movementv between the parts which are piped together.

part 119 connected to the platenr26 for Vmovement therewith. Referring tol FIG. 6, therplaten `is carried by a large guidecylinder 27 (say twelve inch diameter)-within and safety button during the entire cycle.

ln the rst case the operator depresses both` hand switches 63 and 112 -to completea circuit froml line L2 through the hand switches, the normally closed contact 122-1 .of relay R2, ZandY then Vthrough the relay coil R1 to line L1. n

The `'completion of this circuit energizes relay coilrRl and relay coil R3 which is in parallel with'coil R1. The

normally open contacts Rl-l and Ril-2 of relayv R1 close, and the normally closed contacts R3-.1 of relay R3 open. Y Y The closing of thecontacts Rl-l energizes the fDown solenoid coil 102 kwhich causes pilot iiuid to shift" the solenoids of moderatesize, whereas direct solenoid operation of the main four-way valve 36 would'reqluirelveryk large solenoids and high electrical current.

' The intake for pumps SZ'and 60 is filtered `at. 104.

The dischargefrom pump 60 ilows through .pipes 52 and 54 tothe four-way valve 50, whichis connected by aV Y pipe 56 to drive the reversible motor 46 in one direction,

tion.

not stay in either side position unless held there.

Referring now to'FIG. 1, there are rods 10S and 110 projecting horizontally Vfrom the travelinghead. These of the relay coil R2 plays no4 part in this operation when" Vnormally open contacts 106-2.

spool of the hydraulic four-way valve (36 in FIGj), causing a flow of oil into the upper or pressure endof the hydraulic ram, moving it downward. At` the` same time, .the .opening kof the VRlVi--I contacts keeps Y'the VUpl solenoid coil 1704 de-energized. Y

' The closing of the R1-2 contactsserves as a holding contact which keeps relay coilsl R1 and R3 energized,

even though the operator has removed his hands (or either hand) from the hand switches;

The hydraulic ram in its downward movement reachesA the bottom limit switch (106inFIG. 3) opening itsnormally closed 'contacts' 166-1 (FIG. 7)' and closing its (The closing ofthe normally open contacts 106-'2 and the consequent energizing the hand switches are released before the ram hits the bottom limit switch.)

The :opening of the normally closed ycontacts 10.6-1

62, ;and `the arrangement'is. v such that the rods 1698 anclll!) :act asV limit switchesto t In FIG. 3the parts 1496 and `108 are i bottom and top limit Vswitches which are operatedjby a 'enemies of the bottom limit switch de-energizes relay coils R1 and R3, which in turn opens relay contacts R1-1 and R1-2 and closes relay contacts R3-1. This in turn deenergizes the Down solenoid coil 102, and energizes the Up solenoid coil 104, causing the spool of the fourway valve to shift to allow oil to flow into the bottom of the hydraulic ram. The oil from the pressure or top end of the ram is exhausted through the four-way valve back -to the oil tank.

As the hydraulic ram rises `to its uppermost position it touches the top limit switch, opening its normally closed contacts S-1, This in turn de-energizes the Up solenoid coil 104. With both solenoid coils de-energized, the spring-centered spool of the four-way valve returns to the neutral or middle position. Both cylinder ports then are blocked, and the oil ows from the pressure port to the exhaust port and back to the oil tank, that is, the oil simply circulates.

When the operator keeps both hand switches depressed during the entire cycle, the operation proceeds as described above until the ram reaches bottom, that is, the circuit closed by the hand switches energizes relay coil R1 and relay coil R3 so that the normally open contacts Rl-l and R1-2 close, and the normally closed contacts R3-1 open. 'Ihis energizes the Down solenoid 192, causing the platen to move down.

When the hydraulic ram strikes the bottom limit switch, the opening of its normally closed contacts 106-1 does not de-energize relay coils R1 and R3. This is due to the fact that a completed circuit exists through the closed hand switches 63 and 112, and the normally closed contacts R2-1, relay coils R1 and R3, and back to line L1. The closing of the normally open contacts 166-2 by the bottom limit switch energizes relay coil R2, opening its normally closed contacts RZ-l and closing, its normally open contacts R2-2. The opening ofthe normally closed contacts 106-1 of the bottom limit switch de-energizes relay coils R1 and R3, and a sequence of operations follows as described above, that is, the relay contacts .R1-1 and R1-2 open, and the contacts R3-1 close. This dcenergizes the Down solenoid 102 and energizes the Up solenoid 104, thereby raising the platen.

As the hydraulic ram rises and releases the bottom limit switch, relay coil R2 is kept in an energized condition through its own normally open holding contacts R2-2, which are now live because the hand switches are still depressed by the operator. The ram will return to its p position to complete the -cycle (unless the operator both releases and also again depresses both of the hand switches, which amounts to initiating another whole cutting cycle).

When the platen is fully up the normally closed contacts 10S-1 of the top limit switch are opened, thereby de-energizing the Up solenoid 108. When both solenoids are de-energized, the spool of the four-way Valve returns to midposition, and the platen remains stationary in its raised position. The oil from the pumps simply circulates.

In the above description the adjustment of the table height has been described as manually operated. However, I have made this machine with an electrically operated motor drive which is applied to the shaft 78 in lieu of the crank 76. The motor with its reduction gearing moves up and down with -shaft 78 and the table.

`It may be mentioned that the electrical equipment, including the relays shown in FIG. 7, and the motor starter, are housed in a box located at -the broken line rectangle shown at 31 in FIG. 6.

It is believed that the construction and operation of my improved die press with traveling head, as well as the ad!V vantages thereof, will .be apparent from the foregoing detailed description. I-t will also be apparent that while I have shown and described the invention in a preferred form, changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as sought to be dened in the fol- 6 lowing claims. In the claims the reference to a crank is not intended to exclude an equivalent hand wheel.

I claim: 1. A die press of the traveling head type for cutting sheet material .by means of fre-ely movable dies, said press comprising a frame having upright ends carrying an elon-Y gated bridge at the top, an elongated table between the ends beneath the bridge, a traveling head carried by and movable along the bridge for travel over the table, a cylinder .and piston in said head and disposed for Ireaction against the bottom of the bridge, a platen therebeneath moved toward or away from the table by the cylinder and piston, a tank for hydraulic iiuid, a pressure pump receivin-g uid from the tank, a motor to drive said pump, a control valve and piping between the pump and the cylinder, lSaid tank, pump, motor, valve and piping all being mounted on and forming a part of the traveling head for movement therewith.

2. A die press of the traveling head type for cutting sheet material by means of freely movable dies, said press comprising a frame having upright ends carrying an elongate/:l bridge at the top, an elongated table .between the ends .beneath the bridge, .a traveling head carried by .and movable along the bridge for travel over the table, a cylinder and piston in said head and disposed for reaction against the bottom of fthe bridge, a platen therebeneath moved toward or .away from the table by the cylinder and piston, a tank for hydraulic uid, a pressure pump submerged in the fluid in the tank, a motor over the tank and having a vertical shaft to drive said pump, a control valve and piping between the pump and the cylinder, said tank, pump, motor, valve and piping all being mounted on and :forigiing a part of the traveling head for movement therewit 3. A die pres-s of the traveling head type for cutting sheet material by means of freely movable dies, said press comprising a frame having upright ends carrying an elongated bridge at the top comprising relatively deep spacedapart side Walls having tracks formed on the exterior near the bottom, an elongated table between the ends beneathV -the bridge, a traveling head having wheels carried by and movable along the tracks of the bridge for travel over the table, a platen therebeneath moved toward or away from the table, a tank for hydraulic fluid, the lower part of said tank being received between the side walls of the bridge, a pressure pump submerged in the uid in the tank, a motor over the tank and having a vertical shaft to drive said pump, a gear rack extending along said bridge, a reversible hydraulic motor mounted on said head driving a pinion meshing with said rack, a control valve and piping between the pump and said reversible hydraulic motor, said tank, pump, motors, valve, and piping all being mounted on and forming a part of the traveling head for movement therewith.

4. A die press of the trave-ling head type for cutting sheet material by means of freely movable dies, said press comprising a frame having upright end-s carrying an elongated bridge at the top, an elongated table between the ends beneath the bridge, a traveling head carried by and .movable along the bridge for travel over the table, a cylinder and piston in said head vand disposed for reaction against the bottom of the bridge, a platen therebeneath moved toward or away from the table by the cylinder and piston, a tank for hydraulic fluid, a pressure pump receiving fluid from the tank, a motor to drive said pump, a control valve and piping between the pump and the cylinder, a reversible hydraulic motor mounted on said head for causing travel of the head along the bridge, a second control valve and piping between the pump and said reversible hydraulic motor, said tank, pump, motors, valves, and piping all being mounted on and forming a part of the traveling head for movement therewith.

5. A die pres-s of the traveling head type for cutting sheet material by means of freely movable dies, said press comprising a frame having upright ends carrying an elonanodine gated bridge at the top, Van elongated table between `the endsbeneath ythe bridge, a traveling head Vcarried by yand movable along the bridge for travel over the table, a cylinder `and piston in said head and disposed for reaction against the bottom of the bridge, a. platen therebeneath moved toward or away from the table by the cylinder and Y piston, a tank for hydraulic tluid, a pressure pump submerged in the iiuid in the tank, a motor over the tank and having -a vertical shaft to drive said pump, a control valve Y and piping bet-Ween the pump and the cylinder, a gear rack extending along said bridge, a reversible motor mounted on said head driving a pinionmeshing with` said rack, a

second controlvalve and piping between .thepump and said motor, saidr tank, pump, motors, valves, andk piping all being mounted on and forming a part of the traveling head for movement therewith. Y

6. A die press comprising a framek having upright ends carrying kan elongated bridge at the top, a table between said endsbene-ath the bridge, a cylinder and pis-ton carried by said bridge, a platen therebeneath and moved `toward or away from the table by the cylinder and piston, tie rods depending from said bridge within said frame ends, said table beingsuspendedV from said bridge by means of said 1 tie rods, the lower portion of said rods passing through the ends of said table and being threaded, nuts on said threaded rodsbeneath the table to support the table` at a desired height, and gearing for simultaneous equal rotation ofrsaidnuts when adjusting the heightof the table. V 7. A die press comprising'a frame having upright ends carrying an elongated bridge at the top, a table between said ends beneath ti e bridge, a cylinder and pis-ton carried by said bridge, a platen therebeneath and moved toward or away from the table by the cylinder and piston tie rods depending from said bridge within said frame ends, said table being Ysuspended from said bridge by means of said tie rods, the lower portion of said rods passing through the ends of said table and bein-g threaded, and nuts on said threaded rods beneath thetable to support vthe table at a desired height, said framerends having vertical guideways cooperating with the ends olik the table toV hold the table against lateralV movement.

i8. A die press comprising a framehavingupright ends ca-rr ine anv elongated -bridge at the-to Va table between Y E C 5 said ends beneath therbridge, acylinder and piston carried by said bridge, a plat-en therebeneath and moved toward -or -away from the table by the cylinder and piston, tie rods depending from said bridge within said frame ends,said

table being suspended from said bridge by means of said tie rodsthe lower portion of said rods passing through the kends of said table and being threadednuts on said threaded rods beneath the table toV support the table atV a desired height, and gearing for simultaneous equal rotation of said nuts when adjusting the height of the table,

said frame ends having vertical guideways cooperating with the ends of the table to hold the ktable against lateral movement. Y J

' 9. A die press comprising a frame having upright endsY carrying .an elongated bridge at the top, a table vbetween said ends beneath the bridge, a traveling headcarried by and movable along the bridge for travel over the table,

acylinder and piston in said head,V a platen therebeneath and moved toward or away from the table by the cylinder and piston, tie rods dependingfrom saidbridge within said frame ends, said table being suspended from said bridge by means of said tie rods, the l-ower portion of said rods passing through the ends of said table and being threaded, nuts on said threaded rods beneath the table to support the table at a desired height, and gearing for simultaneous:

equal rotation of'said nuts when adjusting the height of the table. j Y V i 10. A die press comprising a frame having upright ends Y, er Y moved toward or away from Vthe table by the cylinder and piston, ytier-ods depending Yfrom said bridge `within said framek ends, saidV table being suspended from said bridge y by meansk of said tie rods, the lower portion of said rods.

passing through thekends of said table and being threaded, V nuts on said threaded rods beneath the` table to support the .table :at a desired height, said frame ends vhaving vertical guideways cooperating with kthe ends ofthe table to hold the table against lateral movement.

A11. A dierpress comprising a frame having upright ends carrying an velongated Vbridge at the top, a table between saidends beneath the bridge, a traveling head carried by and movable .along the bridge'for travel over` the table, a Y cylinder and piston in said head, a platen therebeneath and moved toward or away fromV the table by the'cylinder and piston, tierodsdependingfrom said bridge'within said frame ends, said table being suspended from saidY bridge by means ofsaidtie rods, the lower portion of said rods passing through the ends of said table and bein-g threaded, nuts on said threaded rods beneathlthe'table to support the ytable at a desired height, Aandgearing for-simultaneous equal rotation of said nuts when adjusting the height of the table, said frame ends having vertical guideways cooperating with the ends of the table to'hold the ltable againstlateral movement.

i 12. A die press comprising a frame having upright ends carrying anelongated bridge at the top,a table between said ends beneath thebr-idge, a traveling head carried by and movable along the bridgefor travel over the.table,'a cylinder `and piston in said head, a platen thercbeneath and moved toward or away from the table by the cylinder and piston, tie rods depending from said bridge within said frame ends, said'table being suspended from said bridge z by means of said tie rods, the lower portion of said rods passing through the ends of said table and being threaded, internally threaded gears on said threaded rods beneath the table to Vsupport the table at adesired height,and means including gearing Vconnecting said'threadedV gears V for simultaneous equal rotation when adjusting the height carrying an elongated bridge at the top, a table between said ends beneath the bridge, a traveling head carried by and movable along the bridge for travel over thetable, a cylinder and piston in said head, a platen therebeneat-h and of the table, said framefends having vertical guideways cooperating with the end-s of the table lto hold the table` against lateralV movement, theV aforesaid gearing including a shaft extending lengthwise Vbeneath the table andhaving,

a gear ateachV end meshing with the gearing leading Vto the aiforesaid threaded gears.

131A die press compris-ing'a frame having upright ends carrying an elongated bridge at the top, a table between said ends beneath the bridge, a traveling head carried by iandlmovableV along the Ybridge for travel over the table, a cylinder and piston in said head, a platen therebeneath and moved toward or away from thetable by the cylinder .and piston, t-ie rods depending from said bridge. within said frame ends, fsaid table being` suspended vfrom said Y bridge by means of said tierods, the lower portion of said rods passing through the ends of said table and being threaded, internally threaded gears on said threaded rods.

.beneath the table to Vsupport the table at a desired height, and manuallypoperable means including gearing'connecting said threaded' gears for simultaneous equal rotation` when adjusting the height of -the table, said frame ends i having vertical guideways cooperating with the ends of theA table to hold the table against lateral movement, the afore-r said gearing including a .crankV operated shaft extending lengthwise beneath the table Iand having a crank at. one

i end outside the frame and having a gear at e-ach end insidel along the bridge forV travel over the table, said head in- 9 cluding a cylinder and piston with .a platen therebeneath moved toward or away from the table by the cylinder and piston, the t-op of said cylinder being slidable along the bottom of the bridge for reaction thereagainst, rollers on said head resting on said tracks to support the head for rolling movement along the bridge, a tank on said head for hydraulic iiuid, said tank being disposed between the side walls of the bridge, a pressure pump submerged in the fluid in the tank, an electricmotor over the tank having a vertical shaft extending down to said pump, a control valve and piping between the pump and the cylinder, said tank, pump, motor, valve and piping all being mounted on and forming a part of the travelin-g head for movement therewith.

15. A die press comprising a frame having upright ends carrying an elongated bridge at the top, said bridge comprising relatively deep spaced-apart side walls, said side walls having tracks formed on the exterior near the bottom thereof, an elongated table between theupright ends be- Heath the bridge, a traveling head carried by and movable along the bridge for travel over the table, said head including a cylinder and piston with a platen therebeneath moved toward or away from the table by the cylinder and piston, the top of said cylinder being slidable along the bottom of the bridge for reaction thereagainst and having upstanding arms which straddle the bridge, rollers on said arms resting on said tracks to support the head for rolling movement along the bridge, .a tank for hydraulic iiuid, said tank having its lower end disposed between the side walls of the bridge, its upper end being exposed above the bridge and being wider than the bridge, said tank being supported at its enlarged upper end by the aforesaid upstanding arms of the head, a pressure pump submerged li) Walls having tracks formed on the exterior near the bottornV thereof, .a gear rack along said bridge, an elongated table between the upright ends beneath t-he bridge, a traveling head carried by and movable along the bridge for travel over the table, said head including a cylinder and piston with .a platen therebeneath moved toward or away |from the table by the cylinder and piston, the top of said cylinder being slidable along the b-ottom of the bridge for reaction therea-gainst and having upstanding arms which straddle the bridge, rollers on said arms resting on said tracks to support the head for rolling movement along the bridge, .a tank for hydraulic iiuid, said tank having its lower end disposed between the side walls of the bridge, its upper end being exposed above the bridge and being wider than the bridge, said tank being supported at its e11- largedzupper end by the aforesaid up-standing arms of the Y head, `a pressure pump submerged in the iiuid in the tank, an electric motor over the tank having a vertical shaft extending down to said pump, a control valve and piping between the pump and the cylinder, a reversible hydraulic motor mounted on said head and driving a pinion meshing with said rack, a second control valve and piping between Vthe pump and said hydraulic motor, said tank, pump,

Y motors, valves, and piping all being mounted on and for-min the uid in the tank, an electric motor overthe tank having .a vertical shaft extending down to said pump, a control valve and piping .between the pump and the cylinder, said tank, pump, mot-or, valve, and piping all being mounted on and forming a part of the traveling head for movement therewith. Y

16. `A d-ie press comprising a frame having upright ends carrying an elongated bridge at the top, said bridge comprising relatively deep spaced-apart side walls, said side walls having tracks formed near the bottom thereof, a gear rack along said bridge, an elongated table between the upright ends beneath the bridge, a traveling head carried by and movable along the bridge for travel over the table, said head including a cylinder and piston with a platen therebeneath moved toward or away `from the table by the cylinder and piston, the top of said cylinder being sideable along the bottom of the bridge for reaction there- :against and having upstanding-arms which straddle the bridge, rollers resting on said tracks to support the head -for movement along the bridge, a tank for hydraulic ilu-id, said ltank being exposed'above the bridge and being wider than the bridge, said tank being supported at its upper end by the aforesaid upstanding arms of the head, a pressure pump, an electric motor for driving said pump, a control valve and piping between the pump and the cylinder, a reversible hydraulic motor mounted on said head and driving a pinion meshing with said rack, a second control valve and piping between the pump and said hydraulic motor,

said tank, pump, motors, valves, and piping all being i mounted on and forming a part of the traveling head for movement therewith. Y

17. A die press comprising a frame having upright ends carrying an elongated bridge at the top, said bridge comprising relatively deep spaced-apart side walls, said side ing a part of the traveling head for movement therewith.

1S. A die press comprising a frame having upright ends carrying an elongated bridge at the top, said bridge being channel-shaped and comprising relatively deep spacedapart side walls connected by a bottom wall, said side walls having tracks formed on the exterior near the bottom thereof, a gear rack inside said channel near the bottom thereof, an elongated table between the upright ends beneath the bridge, a traveling head carried by and mov-V able along the bridge for travel over the table, said head including a cylinder and piston with a platen therebeneath moved toward or away from the table by the cylinder .and piston, the top of said cylinder being slidable along Vthe bottom of the bridge for reaction thereagainst l .and having upstanding arms which straddle the bridge,

rollers on said arms resting on said tracks to support the head for rolling movement along the bridge, a tank for hydraulic fluid, said tank being downwardly convergent and having its lower end disposed between the lside walls of the bridge, its upper end being exposed above the bridge and being wider than the bridge, said tank being supported at its enlarged upper end by the aforesaid upstanding arms of lthe head, a pressure pump submerged in the uid in the tank, an electric motor over the tank having a vertical shaft extending down to said pump, a control valve and piping between the pump and the cylinder, a reversible hydraulic motor mounted on said head within the bridge and driving a pinion meshing with said rack, a second control valve and piping between the pump and said hydraulic motor, said tank, pump, motors, valves, and piping all being mounted on and forming .a part of the traveling head for movement therewith.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,431,955 10/22 Hudson 83-534 1,465,339 8/ 23 Brennan 83-541 2,021,138 11/35 Ballard 837-539 2,439,725 4/ 48 Frost 1D0-226 2,696,251 12/54 Hawkes 83-541 2,940,608 6/ 60 Underwood 212-124 ANDREW R. JUHASZ, Primary Examiner. 

1. A DIE PRESS OF THE TRAVELING HEAD TYPE FOR CUTTING SHEET MATERIAL BY MEANS OF FREELY MOVABLE DIES, SAID PRESS COMPRISING A FRAME HAVING UPRIGHT ENDS CARRYING AN ELONGATED BRIDGE AT THE TOP, AN ELONGATED TABLE BETWEEN THE ENDS BENEATH THE BRIDGE, A TRAVELING HEAD CARRIED BY AND MOVABLE ALONG THE BRIDGE FOR TRAVEL OVER THE TABLE, A CYLINDER AND PISTON IN SAID HEAD AND DISPOSED FOR REACTION AGAINST THE BOTTOM OF THE BRIDGE, A PLATEN THEREBENEATH MOVED TOWARD OR AWAY FROM THE TABLE BY THE CYLINDER AND PISTON, A TANK FOR HYDRAULIC FLUID, A PRESSURE PUMP RECEIVING FLUID FROM THE TANK, A MOTOR TO DRIVE AND PUMP, A CONTROL VALVE AND PIPING BETWEEN THE PUMP AND THE CYLINDER, SAID TANK, PUMP, MOTOR, VALVE AND PIPING ALL BEING MOUNTED ON AND FORMING A PART OF THE TRAVELING HEAD FOR MOVEMENT THEREWITH. 